Carter Cellars grew out of Carter House bed and breakfast, a Eureka, California, establishment where owner Mark Carter put together a restaurant wine list for his customers. The list won awards, which inspired Carter to make is own wine with sourced grapes. Carter Cellars’ first vintage was in 1998. In 2006 Carter opened Envy Winery in Calistoga, a 17-acre property that is now the home of Carter Wines. Today the winemaker is Mike Smith, one of Napa Valley's most in-demand young winemakers. Smith learned winemaking under Thomas Brown, and he still collaborates with Brown on some projects as well as making wine at Myriad and Quivet Cellars. Carter Cellars produces several Cabernet Sauvignons with grapes sourced from seven of Napa Valley's most celebrated vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Weitz and Truchard. Carter also produces Merlot and Bordeaux blends. Reviewers have been highly complimentary. Wine Advocate rated the 2012 Beckstoffer To Kalon at 100 pts and called it "one of the truly majestic and singular world class wines of the Napa Valley....This compelling superstar is pure perfection."